Alcohol Myths You’ve Always Believed—But Science Says Otherwise!
- Sherry Tangri
- Feb 4
- 4 min read
Alcohol is a fascinating thing. It brings people together, fuels celebrations, and occasionally makes you believe you can dance like Hrithik Roshan. But along with its charm comes a truckload of myths—some handed down through generations, others whispered like bar secrets, and a few just plain absurd.
It’s time to debunk these myths with a mix of humor, science, and a splash of common sense. Let’s raise a metaphorical glass and dive in!
Myth #1: “Mixing Alcohol Gets You Drunker”
What People Say:
“If you mix beer, wine, and whisky in one night, you’ll wake up questioning all your life choices.”
Reality Check:
It’s not the combination of drinks that gets you drunk faster—it’s the total amount of alcohol consumed.
Science says your body metabolizes alcohol at a fixed rate, roughly one standard drink per hour. So whether you drink five shots of tequila or a cocktail with five different spirits, it’s the quantity—not the mix—that decides your fate.
Why People Believe It:
When you switch from beer to whisky, then to wine, your taste buds get confused, and you lose track of how much you’ve had. The next thing you know, you’re making deep confessions to strangers at 2 AM.
Fun Fact:
The phrase “Beer before liquor, never sicker” is a lie. The real rule is: "Too much booze, you're gonna lose."
Myth #2: “Dark Liquor is Stronger Than Clear Liquor”
What People Say:
“Whisky and dark rum hit harder than vodka and gin.”
Reality Check:
The color of the drink has nothing to do with its alcohol content. What makes a drink strong is its alcohol by volume (ABV).
Vodka, gin, rum, whisky, and tequila generally range between 35-50% ABV.
Some dark liquors (aged in barrels) contain more congeners—compounds that can make hangovers worse—but they don’t necessarily make you drunk faster.
Why People Believe It:
Dark liquor feels richer and heavier, making people assume it’s more intoxicating. Meanwhile, vodka sneaks up on you like a silent assassin because it’s flavorless.
Fun Fact:
Whisky gets its color from wood barrels, not extra alcohol. So technically, your whisky is just really well-infused wood juice.
Myth #3: “Eating Before Drinking Prevents You From Getting Drunk”
What People Say:
“Eat a full meal before drinking, and you won’t feel a thing!”
Reality Check:
Food slows alcohol absorption, but it doesn’t block it entirely.
If you drink on an empty stomach, alcohol goes straight into your bloodstream.
If you drink after a heavy meal, alcohol still gets absorbed—but at a slower pace.
Why People Believe It:
It feels like food is soaking up the alcohol, but in reality, it’s just delaying the buzz—not preventing it.
Fun Fact:
Fatty foods slow down alcohol absorption the most, which is why butter chicken and biryani before drinks is almost a scientific strategy.
Myth #4: “Alcohol Kills Brain Cells”
What People Say:
“Every drink you take destroys brain cells!”
Reality Check:
Good news! Alcohol does NOT kill brain cells.
Bad news? It does slow down brain function temporarily by affecting neurotransmitters.
Heavy drinking over time can damage brain connections, but moderate drinking does not cause permanent brain cell loss.
Why People Believe It:
Let’s be honest—when you see someone drunk, forgetting their phone password for the tenth time, it’s easy to believe their brain is under attack.
Fun Fact:
Even the hardest-partying goldfish (yes, fish can get drunk) don’t lose brain cells—they just become terrible at swimming straight.
Myth #5: “Cold Showers and Coffee Sober You Up”
What People Say:
“Drink coffee, take a shower, and you’ll be fine.”
Reality Check:
Cold showers wake you up, but don’t reduce alcohol levels.
Coffee makes you alert, but doesn’t speed up alcohol metabolism.
Water helps prevent a hangover, but doesn’t make you sober instantly.
Why People Believe It:
Because no one wants to accept that only time helps.
Fun Fact:
Your liver can only process one drink per hour—so if you had eight tequila shots in an hour, no amount of coffee, jogging, or regret will help.
Myth #6: “Expensive Liquor Gives You Less of a Hangover”
What People Say:
“If you drink top-shelf whisky, you won’t get a hangover.”
Reality Check:
Expensive liquor may have fewer congeners (compounds that contribute to hangovers), but drinking too much of anything will still mess you up.
Why People Believe It:
Marketing. Premium brands sell the illusion of being “purer” and “cleaner,” making people assume they’re immune to morning-after headaches.
Fun Fact:
The real hangover villains are sugary mixers, dehydration, and drinking like it’s a competition.
Myth #7: “Alcohol Warms You Up”
What People Say:
“One shot of whisky will keep you warm in the cold.”
Reality Check:
Alcohol makes you feel warm, but in reality, it lowers your core body temperature by dilating blood vessels.
So while you feel toasty, your body is actually losing heat faster—not ideal if you’re stranded in snow, thinking whisky is your winter jacket.
Why People Believe It:
That instant flush of warmth after a drink tricks your brain into thinking you’re warmer.
Fun Fact:
This is why drunk people think they don’t need jackets in winter—only to regret it the next morning.
Final Thoughts: Cheers to Knowledge!
Alcohol myths have been around forever, and they make drinking culture more fun (and sometimes dangerous). But now that you know the truth, you can be the smartest person at the bar—or at least the one who avoids rookie mistakes.
So, next time someone says, “Drink coffee to sober up”, hit them with: "Sure, and while you’re at it, sprinkle some fairy dust too."
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